To their great surprise, Team Wha Out ended up being the first team home in the ultra marathon relay event of the Te Houtaewa Challenge on 90 Mile Beach last Saturday.
The team, made up of runners aged from 12 to 40, eventually finished the race in 5 hours and28 minutes, with an average 3km time of 15 minutes.
Wha Out spokesperon Louisa Kingi Cooper noted the ultra marathon began at the the Bluff at 8am (later than advised) following a wero (challenge) performed by Peter Kitchen and a karakia (prayer) from students of Te Kura Kaupapa o Pukemiro before the crowd of runners, walkers and cyclists began. They were joined by their counterparts at designated points along the beach preparing to 'contest' other events - i.e. the 42km marathon starting near Hukatere, and the 21km half marathon just north of Waipapakauri ramp - with all aiming to make it all the way in their respective events to the finish line at Paripari Domain in Ahipara.
Louisa said the whole point for all was to go out there and have fun in our own backyard, but said no one in her Wha Out team had expected to win.
"It was amazing to see other runners, walkers and cyclists out there speeding towards the finish line. It was definitely a real challenge with headwinds, soft sand and the never-ending scenery but it is an event that we won't forget in a hurry," she said, adding a huge thank you to all the teams that run the annual event.
"Everyone behind Team Wha Out is looking forward to seeing everyone back again next year to try and reign supreme once again in 2014!"
More images from the Te Houatewa Challenge on 90 Mile Beach on Saturday, March 23, as taken by award-winning photojournalist, Francis 'The Offsider' Malley, can be viewed on the Age website.
